Electrophotographic copying device

ABSTRACT

An electrophotographic copying machine using a roll of sensitive paper in which the original holder for carrying the original reciprocates on the machine case of the electrophotographic copying device. While the original holder is in its backward motion, the original is illuminated so as to subject the electrophotographic-sensitive paper to a slit exposure, and the copy is obtained through subsequent steps of developing and fixing. The reciprocating motion of the original is related to the paper feed so that the paper is cut to the length of the original. An indicator is provided for indicating the size of the roll of sensitive paper in the paper-feeding unit and for indicating the maximum size original capable of being copied.

United States Patent [72] inventors Shigehiro Komori Yokohama-shi; JiroSato, Tokyo; Akira Knrahashi, Tokyo, all of Japan [21] Appl. No. 780,653[22] Filed Dec. 3, 1968 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee CanonKabushiki Kaisha Co., Ltd. [32] Priority Dec. 11, 1967, Dec. 15, 1967 [31 J p n [31] 42/79376 and 42/ 105383 [54] ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPYINGDEVICE 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 355/3, 355/13, 355/28, 355/29 [51] Int. Cl G03g 15/00 [50]Field of Search 355/3, 13, 28, 29

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,782,678 2/1957 Taylor355/29 Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Monroe H.Hayes Attorney-Ward, McElhannon, Brooks and Fitzpatrick ABSTRACT: Anelectrophotographic copying machine using a roll of sensitive paper inwhich the original holder for carrying the original reciprocates on themachine case of the electrophotographic copying device. While theoriginal holder is in its backward motion, the original is illuminatedso as to subject the electrophotographic-sensitive paper to a slitexposure, and the copy is obtained through subsequent steps ofdeveloping and fixing. The reciprocating motion of the original isrelated to the paper feed so that the paper is cut to the length of theoriginal. An indicator is provided for indicating the size of the rollof sensitive paper in the paper-feeding unit and for indicating themaximum size original capable of being copied.

PATENTEUHET 19 Ian 3.614.220 sum 50F e 09 m9 mm. a

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1 ELECTROPIIOTOGRAPI-IIC COPYING DEVICE This invention relates to acopying machine, more particularly to an electrophotographic copyingmachine using a roll of sensitive paper.

Generally, originals to be copied by the copying machine are notnecessarily fixed in size. There are used numerous sizes of originalssuch as, for example A4 size (nearest equivalent being imperial octavo")measuring 21.0 cm.X29.7 cm. and B size (nearest equivalent being crownquarto) measuring 18.2 cm.X25.7 cm. In order to copy such originals ofvarying sizes, the sensitive paper being supplied to the copying machineis required to have various sizes conforming to those of the originals.However, if sensitive papers of various sizes equaling to those oforiginals are to be prepared in advance in a copying machine, then thecopying machine will have a complicated structure. Thus, there has beenfollowed a practice whereby a stack of sensitive papers cut to a fixedsize in advance is reserved in the sensitive-paperfeeding unit of thecopying machine, so that originals having larger sizes than the fixedsize of the sensitive paper are rejected as uncopiable while thosehaving smaller sizes are used with marginal portions wasted. This methodis optimal when the original has substantially the same size as that ofthe sensitive papers. Otherwise, sensitive papers must be usedwastefully or originals having larger sizes must be rejected asuncopiable. According to another conventional method, a roll ofcontinuous sensitive paper is disposed within a copying machine and, inthe course of copying operation, the said sensitive paper is suitablycut by a cutting means to a size conforming to the size of the originalto be copied. With this method, since the sensitive paper is outaccording to the size of the original, there is involved no waste ofsensitive paper. Therefore, the copying expense per copy is less thanwith the aforementioned method. Besides, no wasteful margin occurs inthe sensitive paper after having been used. Thus, this method hascertain advantages.

If this method is employed at all, however, it becomes necessary for thecopying machine to be provided with a sensitive-paper-cutting means anda means capable of sensing the size of original being copied and thenoperating the cutting means accordingly. Structurally, the knownmachines are highly complicated and expensive. This is one shortcomingof this method.

The object of the present inventionconsists in eliminating thisshortcoming by providing a means for cutting the roll of sensitive paperto the size of the field of the original being copied with the aid of anextremely simple mechanism.

Another object of this invention resides in providing a means so adaptedthat the sensitive-paper-cutting means is actuated by the movement ofthe original conveying element which makes a reciprocating movement toachieve exposure during the process of copying, whereby the size of theoriginal can be sensed with extremely high accuracy and the sensitivepaper is cut accordingly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an extremely smallelectrophotographic copying machine which is possessed of charging,exposing, and developing means in addition to thesensitive-paper-cutting means which is actuated by the movementof theoriginal conveying element designed to make reciprocating motion duringthe process of copying.

Yet another object of the present invention consists in providing acopying machine provided with a means for indicating the size of theroll of sensitive paper disposed in the sensitive feeding unit of thecopying machine as well as a means for indicating the maximum size oforiginal capable of being copied.

The aforementioned objects and other objects as well as advantages ofthe present invention are explained in detail by referring to pictorialembodiments of the invention.

The drawings, FIG. I through FIG. 10, represent one example in which thepresent invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine:

FIG. 1 represents a longitudinal sectional front view of theelectrophotographic copying machine;

FIG. 2 represents a rear view illustrating the outline of the drivingmechanism of the copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a sketch drawing thereof;

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged front view of the member for actuating thesensitive-paper-cutting means according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 represents a top view of one modified embodiment of the memberfor actuating the sensitive-paper-cutting means;

FIG. 6 represents a partially enlarged front view of the drawing of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 represents a longitudinal sectional front view of anelectrophotographic copying machine provided with a size indicatingmeans according to this invention;

FIG. 8 represents a side view of the means illustrated in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 represent drawings of the operating condition of themeans illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to these drawings, a detailed description is made of thepresent invention below.

First, one example electrophotographic machine suitable for applyingthis invention is outlined. As shown in FIG. 3, an original P is placedand held down by a rubber plate 3 on a glass plate 2 on an originalholder I which is positioned to the left. A motor 6 begins to rotate asa start button 5 provided at a suitable position on a machine case 4 isdepressed (FIG. 2), causing a pulley 7 to revolve in the directionopposite to an arrow mark (with the transmission system omitted from thedrawing for the sake of clarity of illustration). Consequently, a belt 8connected to both ends of the original holder 1 causes the originalholder I to move along rails 9 from the left side of the machine case ofFIG. I to the right position shown in FIG. 2. The end of the motion inthat direction is sensed such as by means of a microswitch to cause thepulley 7 to move in the opposite direction. Consequently, the originalholder is made to travel in the reverse direction and come to a stop atthe position shown in FIG. I and FIG. 3, where the original is replaced.The end position of the forward motion or the starting position of thebackward motion is always fixed correctly, while the end position of thebackward motion or the starting position of the forward motion may besuitably selected as required.

When the aforementioned reverse motion starts, a lamp 10 (FIG. I) is litup to illuminate the original P from the lower surface with the aid ofreflecting mirrors II and 12, whereby the image on the original isformed on an electrophotographic sensitive paper E travellingat the samespeed as the reverse motion of the original at an exposing section 16with the aid of an L-shaped mirror barrel I5 incorporating a reflectingmirror,

13 and a lens 14. Thus, the slit exposure or scanning of the field ofthe original is effected.

The sensitive paper E from the roll is passed through cutters 32 and 33with the aid of a feed roller 27. Generally since the paper is cut bythe cutter, and at the same time the roller 27 comes to a stop, theleading end of the sensitive paper comes to a stop at the position cutby the cutter. During the forward motion of the original holder, thefeed roller 27 and the subsequent feed roller system begin to rotate.Consequently, the sensitive paper E is led by the guide 60 to be engagedby the roller 17, then forwarded by the guide 61 to be electricallycharged while passing through the charging section 18, and advanced bythe feed roller 28 in the direction of the guide section of the exposingsection 16.

The original holder reciprocating section and the paper feed drivingsection are interrelated with each other in such manner that the reversemotion of the original holder 1 starts when the leading end of thesensitive paper in motion begins to enter the efiective image-formingposition of the optical image in the exposing section I6.

The sensitive paper E having an electrostatic latent image formedthereon by the slit exposure efi'ected in the manner just mentioned ispassed through a liquid developer container 19 via the roller 29,advanced by the roller 56, and then transported by the conveyor 20 tothe copy tray 24. In the meantime, the fan 21 draws the warm air fromthe vicinity of the lamp l and forwards it to the duct 22 and, ifrequired, the current of warm air is heated by the heater 23 and is usedfor the purpose of fixing the powder image and drying the sensitivepaper E.

In a copying machine of the construction mentioned, there is a largespace between the L-shaped mirror barrel 15 and the electric charger 18.If this space is utilized for holding the roll of sensitive paper E tobe supplied as required, then the mechanism will be simpler than themechanism designed to pay off independent sheets of sensitive paper andthe machine operation will be more reliable. If there is incorporated ameans for cutting the sensitive paper to the size equaling the length ofthe original P being copied, waste of the sensitive paper can be saved.

The present invention is aimed at accomplishing this object. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, an endless cord 39 is passed around the pulleys37 and 38 on the machine case 4 parallel to the reciprocating directionof the original holder 1. On this cord 39 there are provided an index 40which is manually set to the one end P of the original P and amicroswitch 41 which moves in the direction opposite thereto. Thecopying machine is constructed in such relationship that when one end P,of the original P is set to the standard or reference position, forexample the rear end of the glass plate 2, on the original holder 1 andthe index 40 is set to the other end P of the original P, the distancebetween the cam 42 (FIG. 4) provided on the original holder 1 and themicroswitch 41, with the original holder 1 held at the end position ofthe forward motion or the starting position of the backward motion, willbe equal to the length obtained by subtracting the distance between thecutters 32 and 33 and the entrance to the exposing section 16 from thelength L of the original P.

When the original holder 1 moves backward from the ends position of theforward motion shown in FIG. 1 and, as a consequence, the cam 42 closes,through the aid of the lever 43, the microswitch 41 as shown in FIG. 4,the signal therefrom actuates an electrical control circuit so as toclose the movable cutter 33 with reference to the stationary cutter 32to cut the sensitive paper E and, at the same time, the feed roller 27is isolated from the motive force side by means of a clutch todiscontinue the paying-off motion of the sensitive paper E from theroll.

In short, while the original holder 1 is in its forward motion, thesensitive paper E is advanced from the position of the cutters 32 and33; when the leading end of the sensitive paper reaches the immediatefront of the entrance to the exposing section 16, the original holder 1switches to the backward motion; and when the cam 42 closes themicroswitch 41, the cutters 32 and 33 cut the sensitive paper to thelength equaling that of the original, thus effecting the random lengthcutting.

Thereafter, the sensitive paper E is advanced by means of the rollers17, 28, and 29-30, as will be described afterwards, at a speed equal tothe speed of the original P with the backward motion of the originalholder 1, then passed through the exposing section 16, the liquiddeveloping section 19, the conveyor 20, and the hot-air drying andfixing section situated thereabove, and finally discharged into the tray24.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 represent, though with a different construction, thesame device as described above. An index manually movable along a guideelement or groove 46 provided on the original holder 1 is set so as toalign with the end P, of the original P. On the index 47 is provided anoperating member 48, which is so adapted that the distance travelled bythe member 48, while being carried by the holder, after it reverses itscourse at the end position of the forward motion until it closes themicroswitch 49 provided in fixed position on the machine case 4 will beequal to the length which is obtained by subtracting the distancebetween the cutters 32 and 33 and the entrance to the exposing section16 from the length L of the original as in the previous example.

The operating member 48, and the cam 42 of FIG. '4 mentioned aboveactuate, the microswitches 41 and 49 only during the backward motion andnot during the forward motion.

For this purpose the device shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a lever 43which is maintained in the neutral position by means of the springs 51and 51,. This lever is pushed by the cam 42 away from the microswitch 41while in the forward motion. During its backward motion, it is pushed bythe cam 42 in such way as to close the microswitch 41. In the device ofFIG. 6, the operating member 48 moves away'against the spring 52 whilein the forward motion, but it does push the lever 53 against the actionof the return spring 54 so as to close the microswitch 49 while in thebackward motion. The pins55 and 55' serve as stops for the operatingmembers 48 and 49, respectively.

For the sensitive paper feed rollers 27, I7, and 28-30, there may beused a suitable drive mechanism. In the case of the device illustrated,transmission wheels 27,, 17,, and 28,-30, shown in FIG. 2 are providedon the same axes as the rollers. These wheels are so arranged that theymay be driven by a belt or chain 31 which is passed around atransmission gear 26 interlocked with the motor 6. In the space betweenthe transmission wheel 27, or its axis and the feed roller 27, there isprovided a clutch (not shown in the drawing), which serves to cut theconnection by means of the signal from the microswitch 41 or 49.

At the same time, this signal actuates an electrical control circuitwith the result that the mechanical action or the action of theelectromagnetic coil 43 (FIG. I) will cause the plunger 44 to attractthe lever 34 against the return spring 35, whereby the movable blade 33fixed on the lever 34 will be closed against the stationary blade 32 tocut the sensitive paper E.

This invention is not limited to the copying machine having thecomponents illustrated in FIG. I, but may be applied to copying machinesof any type possessed of an original holder adapted to makereciprocating motion and designed to effect slit exposure during suchreciprocating motion. As used above it should be understood that thearea copied may be only a portion or field of the original.

Now, a description is made of FIG. 7 through FIG. 10 which illustrateone example electrophotographic machine to which is applied thesensitive-paper-size-indicating device of the present invention.

Referring to the diagram of FIG. 7, an original is placed on the glassplate 102 mounted on the original holder 101 positioned as illustrated,and it is held down by the rubber plate 103. Then, the original holder101 is moved forward along the rail 104 to a fixed position on theright. In the meantime, the sensitive paper P is advanced by the rollers105 and 106 through the corona-discharge charging unit 107 to theentrance of the exposing section 108.

Subsequently, the original holder 101 begins to make a backward motionand the lamp 109 is lit up to illuminate the original holder upwardlywith the aid of reflecting mirrors I10 and 111, whereby the image isprojected, via the L-shaped mirror barrel 114 consisting of a mirror 112and a projecting lens 113, onto the sensitive paper P which istravelling in the exposing section 108 at the same speed as theoriginal. Thus, the latent image is formed by slit exposure.Subsequently, the sensitive paper P is sent to the liquid developercontainer 115 to have the latent image developed into a visible image,passed through the squeezing rollers 116, and carried on the conveyor117 as far as the outlet 118. In the meanwhile, the air in the vicinityof the lamp 109 is drawn by the fan I19 and delivered to the duct 120and, if required, the current of heated air is heated by the heater .121and blown on the paper. Thus, the fixing and drying are accomplished.

In copying machines of all types, including the slit exposure typeinvolving the reciprocating motion of the original and the total-surfaceexposure type involving the use of an immobilized original, thesensitive paper P is reserved in the receptacle 122 of the paper feedingsection and is protected against light by the shield 123. As thesensitive paper, the sheet type may be used instead of the roll typeillustrated.

Generally, a copying machine is so designed that there can be usedvarious sizesof sensitive paper P, such as A4 size and B4 size asalready described. Accordingly, it is necessary to incorporate a meansenabling the operator to know what size of sensitive paper is held inthe receptacle without opening the case. This invention permits thisindication to be accomplished automatically.

For this purpose, the present invention requires an indicator plate 125to be set rotatably around the axis 126 on the support 124 which isdisposed on the rear surface of the shield 123. The indicator plate isso adapted that it is usually drawn by the spring 127 to the extent ofcoming into direct contact with the stop 128, at which time A of theindicator surface A and B which forms an inseparable member with theindicator plate 125 will appear through the indication window 129 of theshield 123. And inside the sensitive paper receptacle 122, there isprovided a regulating plate 130 serving to engage the side of thesensitive paper. On this regulating plate is provided a finger 131against the indicator plate 125.

Now, if the regulating plate 130 is so designed that when sensitivepapers of A size are placed in the receptacle, the regulating plate 130will assume the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 8 and thefinger 131 will not come into contact with the indicating plate 125,then the letter or sign in the A portion of the indicator plate 125denoting A size will appear through the indication window 129 asillustrated in FIG. 3 when the shield 123 is placed on the receptacle.Then, when sensitive papers of B size are stored, the regulating plate130 will move to the position indicated by a dash line in FIG. 8. Whenthe shield 123 is closed, the indicating plate 125 comes into contactwith the finger 131 and is pushed out as shown in FIG. 10, so that the Bportion falls under the window 129 to permit the letter or sign denotingB size to be read through the window 129. It is also permissible to omitthe aforementioned finger 131 and make the regulating plate 130 tofunction directly for this purpose.

Thus, the size of sensitive papers being stored can be indicatedautomatically by a very simple construction.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrophotographic copying device comprising in combination areciprocally movable holder for supporting an original, said holderhaving a visible reference for.locating relative thereto one edge of thearea of an original to be copied, an adjustable index memberpositionable alongside said original adjacent the opposite edge of saidarea to be copied, means for holding a supply roll of copying material,

electromechanical cutoff means, means for feeding said copying materialfrom said roll over a predetermined path past said cutoff means to anexposure station including separate feed means located before and aftersaid cutoff means, means operable while said holder is moving forprojecting an image from an original supported on said holder upon saidcopying material as the latter passes through said exposure station,means for developing and fixing said image on said copying materialafter it is exposed, means for feeding said copying material from saidexposure station through said developing and fixing means, switch meansfor controlling both said cutoff means and that feed means which islocated before said cutoff means to simultaneously sever said copyingmaterial and interrupt the feeding of said material from said roll, andmeans interrelating said adjustable index member with said switch meansfor causing said switch means to be actuated after said holder has movedduring projection of said image a distance equal to the differencebetween the length between said edges of said area to be copied and thelength of said predetermined path from said cutoff means to saidexposure station.

2. An electrophotographic copying device according to claim 1, whereinsaid means interrelating said adjustable index member with said switchmeans comprises means mounting both said index member and said switchmeans for movement along a path parallel to the path of movement of saidholder, a continuous belt interconnecting said switch means with saidindex member for reciprocal movement toward or away from each other, anda cam element carried by said holder for actuating said switch means asit moves past while an image is being Xrojected.

3. n electrophotographic copying device according to claim 1, whereinsaid means interrelating said adjustable index member with said switchmeans comprises means mounting said index member on said holder foradjustable movement relative to said holder along a path parallel to thepath of movement of said holder, means mounting said switch meansadjacent the path of travel of said index member when the latter iscarried by said holder during movement of the holder, and meansassociated with both said index member and said switch means foractuating said switch means as it is passed by said index member whilean image is being projected.

1. An electrophotographic copying device comprising in combination areciprocally movable holder for supporting an original, said holderhaving a visible reference for locating relative thereto one edge of thearea of an original to be copied, an adjustable index memberpositionable alongside said original adjacent the opposite edge of saidarea to be copied, means for holding a supply roll of copying material,electromechanical cutoff means, means for feeding said copying materialfrom said roll over a predetermined path past said cutoff means to anexposure station including separate feed means located before and aftersaid cutoff means, means operable while said holder is moving forprojecting an image from an original supported on said holder upon saidcopying material as the latter passes through said exposure station,means for developing and fixing said image on said copying materialafter it is exposed, means for feeding said copying material from saidexposure station through said developing and fixing means, switch meansfor controlling both said cutoff means and that feed means which islocated before said cutoff means to simultaneously sever said copyingmaterial and interrupt the feeding of said material from said roll, andmeans interrelating said adjustable index member with said switch meansfor causing said switch means to be actuated after said holder has movedduring projection of said image a distance equal to the differencebetween the length between said edges of said area to be copied and thelength of said predetermined path from said cutoff means to saidexposure station.
 2. An electrophotographic copying device according toclaim 1, wherein said means interrelating said adjustable index memberwith said switch means comprises means mounting both said index memberand said switch means for movement along a path parallel to the path ofmovement of said holder, a continuous belt interconnecting said switchmeans with said index member for reciprocal movement toward or away fromeach other, and a cam element carried by said holder for actuating saidswitch means as it moves past while an image is being projected.
 3. Anelectrophotographic copying device according to claim 1, wherein saidmeans interrelating said adjustable index member with said switch meanscomprises means mounting said index member on said holder for adjustablemovement relative to said holder along a path parallel to the path ofmovement of said holder, means mounting said switch means adjacent thepath of travel of said index member when the latter is carried by saidholder during movement of the holder, and means associated with bothsaid index member and said switch means for actuating said switch meansas it is passed by said index member while an image is being projected.